Hala’s Story - A Mother’s Journey from Gaza to Canada

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Hala clutched her youngest child, Noor, as explosions shook their makeshift shelter in southern Gaza. Just weeks earlier, they had a home in northern Gaza, but the war had torn their lives apart. Her husband, Mahmoud, was killed by Israeli strikes, leaving Hala to care for their three children—Yasmeen, 12, Omar, 9, and Noor, just 4.

For weeks, they tried to escape Israel’s relentless bombardment, searching for safety and shelter, often without enough food or clean water. The children cried in fear as Israeli air attacks continued, and she tried to reassure them, even though her own heart was filled with terror.  

Hala’s extended family in Canada finally found a way for her and the children to escape the genocide. The Canadian government had announced a family reunification program for Palestinians. There was hope for safety. But week after week went by, and the government of Canada did nothing. The reality was that families like Hala’s were left to figure it out on their own. Her extended family in Canada raised funds to get her permission to cross from Gaza into Egypt—$5,000 per person, a fee charged by intermediaries facilitating the border crossing. Hala’s family in Canada pooled their resources and sent $20,000—life savings that would forever change the course of their lives.

Crossing the border was a nightmare. The family spent days waiting at the crossing under a scorching sun, with little food or water. Bureaucratic red tape made the process agonizingly slow. With each passing day, Hala feared that the window of opportunity would close, leaving them stranded in a war zone. Eventually, they made it into Egypt, but their journey was far from over. The process of securing visas to Canada was long and complicated, involving endless paperwork and more fees. When they finally boarded the flight to Canada, Hala felt both relief and anxiety. What awaited them on the other side?

When Hala and her children landed in Canada in January 2024, they had hoped that their struggles were behind them. But the reality was far more challenging. The Canadian government’s family reunification program had been slow to deliver on its promises. There was no government-provided accommodation, no immediate help with food, clothing, or settlement services. The family needed psychological support, but mental health services for refugees like Hala were effectively unavailable. The trauma they had experienced was immense, and the need for counselling—both for Hala and her children—was urgent.  

Nisa Foundation stepped in, offering temporary shelter, guidance, and hope. But for Hala’s family—and many others like them—rebuilding a life in Canada is a long, uphill battle. They need more than just survival; they need stability, mental health support, and a community that cares.

Stories like Hala’s are why our team is so deeply dedicated to advocating for Palestine. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and how it disproportionately affects women and children. Our work in Canada—whether providing shelter, resources, or emotional support—is directly connected to the atrocities happening in Gaza.

The impact of this conflict is not just something we read about; it’s something we experience through the lives of the families who come to us, traumatized and seeking a way forward. Their survival depends on our collective efforts to provide support, both here and abroad. That’s why we continue to raise our voices and take action—not just for the families who have made it to Canada, but for the thousands more still trapped in unimaginable circumstances and being killed by a genocide.

Together, we can ensure that these families find the care, support, and healing they deserve. Your involvement helps us turn survival into hope.

But we cannot do it alone. We are calling on our community to join us in helping families like Hala’s rebuild their lives in Canada. Your contributions can make a difference, providing the essentials that these families need to survive and thrive.

Support Nisa Foundation’s work to provide aid for Palestinian evacuees from Gaza and help them restart their lives.
Donate Now: Gaza Evacuee Support

Join us in advocating for Canadian assistance to Palestinian evacuees. Sign the petition to call on the government for comprehensive support.
Sign the Petition: Canadian Assistance for Gaza

Disclaimer: The story of Hala is fictionalized to protect the identities of families, but it reflects the true accounts of many who have come to Canada.